Ammunition repair apparatus



April 24, 1951 A. R. KINZLE AMMUNITION REPAIR APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1945 AITTODNEVS iatentecl Apr. 24, 195i 3 Claims.

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the repair and renovation of ammunition. More particularly the invention is concerned With the renovation and repair of artillery ammunition, specifically ammunition ranging from 20 mm. upwardly.

During combat conditions, relatively large quantities of ammunition are rendered unserviceable because of damage incurred in handling and deterioration caused by weather conditions. other relatively large quantities of ammunition are lost. It has recently become an important phase of the operations of rear echelon units to salvage damaged ammunition and to locate to as great an extent possible ammunition theretofore considered lost and to renovate or repair such ammunition, or at least disassemble same, so that the various components thereof may be re-used. The present invention is concerned primarily with the renovation of artillery ammunition of the fixed type, in which the cartridge comprises a projectile and a shell casing crimped or other wise fixed to the projectile. In the renovation and repair of such ammunition it isnecessary to disassemble the shells so that the shell casing may be repaired or salvaged and so that the explosive in the propelling charge may be saved and used for other purposes.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus useful in the disassembly of ammunition for the purpose referred to above.

It is an important object of the invention to provide an apparatus that is simple in construction and preferably portable so that it may be easily transported from one location to another.

It is likewise an important object of the invention to provide an apparatus comprising gripping or vise means for securing the projectile of the shell and to provide means by which the casing may be gripped and axially removed from the projectile.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that is adapted for use in the disassembly of various sizes of ammunition.

Other objects and important features of the invention and the use thereof will become apparent as the disclosure is more fully made in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets ofdrawingsin which:

Fig. 1 is a, plan view of the disassembling apparatus, a shell being indicated in place in broken lines;

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively side and end elevations of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line i-G of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the lower member or jaw of the vise or projectilegripping means;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the upper member of the vise or projectile-gripping means;

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively detail front and end views of one of the adapters used in the projectile-gripping means;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing the construction of the detent means for looking the projectile-gripping means in various positions of adjustment on the base; and a a Fig. 10 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the rim-grippin element. a

The apparatus chosen herein for the purpose of illustration and description is of a preferred form and it will be understood that the invention may assume various other forms. Consequently, the disclosure herein should be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The apparatus comprises a main frame or base In including a pair of parallel, longitudinally running side frame members ll, each of which is preferably in the form of a channel, the members being arranged with their flange portions facinginwardly and extending toward one another. The channel members I l are rigidly crossconnected at one end by a transverse plate :2 and are further .rigidly cross-connected intermediate their ends by a pair of transverse bars I3. As best shown in Fig. 4, the channel members ll carry therebetween a pair of cradle means or shell supports, each of which is in the form of a transverse member l4 formed at its oposite sides with longitudinally running grooves l5 adapted to slidably lit the respective upper flanges of'the channels, whereby the member is carried for longitudinal adjustment on the base Hi. Each member M is formed at its center with a semicircular cutout and carries a V-block l6 for vertical adjustment by means of bolts l1 threaded into the member 14 and cooperating with slots IS in the V-block l6.

At its rearward end the base It! carries, for longitudinal sliding movement on the two upper flanges of the channel members II, a transverse member or head I 9 formed with a semicylindrical cutout 20 in which is recessed a semicircular adapter 2! (Fig. This adapter is formed with a semicircular groove 22 which serves to grip the rim of a shell case mounted in the V-blocks [6. Various sizes of adapters such as the one indicated at 2! may be positioned in the semicircular recess 29 in substitution for the one shown, to accommodate-shell cases of difierent calibers and types. The transverse plate 12 at the rear end of the base l0 carries rigidly thereon an internally threaded nut 23 through which is threaded a longitudinal screw 24. The forward endof the. screw 24 passes through a transverse cross member 25 rigidly secured by bolts 26 to the trans.-,

verse member l9 and is secured againstlongitudinal movement with respect to the member 25 by means of a nut 21. An operating handwheel 28 is keyed or otherwise secured to the rear end of the screw 24 and serves as means. by which the screw may be rotated in the nut- 23 to movethe nel members I I for longitudinal movement there:

along. As best shown in Fig. 9, the jaw member 29 carriesat each side thereof means for cooperating with the respective channel member I l for-locking the vise in any of the-various positions of longitudinal adjustment onthe base ID. This means preferably comprises a bracket 3| which is secured by ,bolts 32 to thejaw;member 29 and which includesa transverse sleevev 33 pro: vided with a transverse bore 34.. Aplunger 35;.is;

carried slidably in the bore 34.- and is, normally spring pressed by a compression spring'36, into.

engagement with any one of a plurality, of transverse openings 3?: provided in. the channel mem-. ber ll adjacent the; upper edgethereof; The outer end of the plunger 35 is-vthreaded asat 38.

into the radially flan ed portion of anoperating;

member 39. This member isin the formof a hollow cylinder, encirclingrthd leeve 33, and slidablethereon, andserving as means by which the operator may retract theplunger 3 5 from an opening-3T against pressure of thespring 3.6., It:

will be understood that the detent means ,at the opposite side of the base, is the same, as-that; just; described.

The-lower jaw'member 29 is provided atone side thereof with an upstanding longitudinally apertured ear 49 which, by means of, a pin 4I pivotally carries one end of theupper jaw, mem-v ber 30, the end of the latter being provided witha pair of aper-tured ears 42 for that purpose, The upper member 39 is formed as, an arccomple-. menting the arc oit'ne lowerjaw member 29 and i formed at its opposite side with a bifurcated portion providing a pair of ears 43; The-lower jaw member is provided at this side with apailtof ears 34 through which is passed a pin 45 that carries an upstanding eyebolt 46. Theshank'oi the eyebolt 45 is threaded into avertical threaded sleeve 47 having at its. upper end an; operating handle 48. When the threaded sleeve. 41 is loosened sumciently, it and the eyeboltfifi may-be swung outwardly about the axis; of I the pin 45 and free. of the ears 33; so that, the. upperjaw member 35 maybe swung upwardly about its piyotrpinfila ture 59.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the lower jaw member 29 is slotted transversely at the base as at 49 and the opposite transverse portions forming the slot 49 are formed respectively with vertical recesses or pockets 59. As shown in Fig. 6, the upper member 30 is provided with a transverse slot 5! similar to the slot 49 in, the member 23. The member 30 is likewise provided with a pair of opposed pockets or recesses 52 similar to the recesses 59 in the member 29. In addition, the upper member 30. is provided with a pair of coaxial bores 53 extendin through the member 33 and into, the recesses 52.

The lower and upper jaw members 29 and 30 are adaptedrespectively to carry adapter jaws 54 and, 55 Each adapter jaw is formed as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and includes a central portion provided with a plurality of shell-engaging notches- 56 eachof which is formed with an lugsv 57. respectively fit intoand are received by therecesses 591.. The lugs 51 and'recesses 50.are-. preferably squareso that the adapter is mounted in the member 29; is such a manner that. it is held. against rotation. When the adapter 5.5 is.

. mounted in the upper member 35, the square lugs.

5Ton. the former fit into. the recesses. 52;,of the latter and a pin 58 is passed through the aligned bores 53 in thejaw member 39. andthrough an aperture or. bore-59 .in the. adapter. 55. Since the.

. lower adapter54: is held inthelowerjaw. by its own Weight, itis not; necessary that. a. pin be. provided to secure: the. two. together. since the adapters 54'and 5,5.areinterchangeable, each adapter. isusually provided with, an apere.

In the use of the apparatus, described for the. disassembling ofy a, cartridge... the transverse. sup... porting members; lfi-gwill' serve to carry. aecasing. inthe v -blocks. It; in the. manner indicated; in broken lines in the. drawings. The. V -b1o.cks l5;

by; means of; the bolts. l7 and: slots. l8, may; be. adjusted; vertically. on. themem bers; 4; toa.ccom.-.. Each. ofv the. adapter jaw-s. 5 1.; (5.5); will-have been positioned' modatecasings of: diiferent: calibers.

in itssupporting member 29.0.11 38;. It will. be. noted that the square formation of -the lugs 51: corresponds with theiour. different-sized notches. 5 soth t each adapter may be mounted. in. its

supporting jaw in any one of four; positions, The...-

adapters are. somountedthatthe selected notch: es 55 are complementary and fit the. particular r je ile tobe' ppedn Thethreaded sleeve-4.1

hr aded member 45 are moved into. locked tt d there n. The. hand-wheel 28 is; turned to.

ot te he.sc v. 2.4.; so t at nc merippin -means l9-22 is moved longitudinally:onthebas in. a direction away--from the-.prci ctilegripping means whichi is locked. t ine-base It; by. the de tent means}! When. the shell; case is; sepae' rated fromythe;proje.ctile-, .the.twoparts (projectile and; shell). remain supported in the appara-etus, the case beingaheld by. the, \(,-blocks 1 Grandthecase-gripping means. H3722; andv the. projectile being. held. in. place. by. the. projectileegrippmg.

means 2.3w30z. Theoperat-ing handlee lfi maythen:

However be turned to release the connection between the upper and lower gripping members 39 and 29 so that the projectile may be removed from the apparatus.

In order that the apparatus may accommodate a wide range of shells of different calibers for the disassembling operation, other adapters patterned after the one shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may be included as part of the accessories of the apparatus and such additional adapters may be formed with notches (similar to the notches 56) of various sizes. Other modifications and alterations may be made in the preferred form of invention herein illustrated and described, all of which will occur to those skilled in the art. It will be understood, of course, that these and other modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an instrument for extracting the projectile of a cartridge from its casing, a frame comprising a pair of elongated channel members, means securing said members in horizontallyspaced, parallel, side-by-side relation with the flanges of each channel member extending toward, and disposed oppositely the corresponding flanges of the other member, cartridge supporting means mounted on and between the upper flanges of said channel members for longitudinal adjust-- ment therealong, a lower semi-circular clamp element slidably adjustable on and along the upper flanges of said members, an upper semi-circular clamp element pivoted at one end to a corresponding end of said lower clamp element, means pivotally carried by said lower clamp element and operable to engage said upper clamp element to force the other ends of said elements together to thereby clamp between said elements the projectile of a cartridge supported on said supporting means, an adapter carriedby each said clamp element and adjustable to accommodate projectiles of different calibers, there being a series of holes in longitudinally-spaced relation along each said member, spring-pressed plunger means carried by said lower clamp element, each plunger means being cooperable with a selected one of said holes to releasably fix said clamp elements in longitudinally adjusted position therealong, gripping means slidably mounted on and between said upper flanges and adapted to grip the flanged end of the shell of a cartridge resting upon said supporting means, and power multiplying means connected with said gripping means and operable to positively move the same longitudinally along said channel members.

2. In an instrument for extracting the projectile of a cartridge from its casing, a frame comprising a pair of elongated members rigidly connected in horizontally spaced parallel side-byside relation, a pair of spaced cartridge supports slidably mounted on and between said members and adapted to independently support a cartridge therebetween, each said cartridge support comprising a vertically adjustable block having a V- notch in its upper surface, means to secure each block in vertically adjusted position, clamping means slidably mounted on and between said members and adapted to grip the projectile of a cartridge supported by said members, means to releasably secure said clamping means to said members in longitudinally-adjusted position therealong, said clamping means comprising a lower generally semi-circular element slidable on said members, an upper generally semi-circular element pivoted at one end to an end of said lower element, means operable to draw the other ends of said elements together, said elements having their confronting faces recessed, a pair of adjustable adapters each having a plurality of arcuate notches in its periphery, each notch being adapted to accommodate a shell casing of a caliber different from the others, each adapter being constructed to fit a recess with a, selected notch in projectile gripping position, interengaging means between each said adapter and its [clamp element to hold said adapter in its selected position of rotatable adjustment, gripping means slidably mounted on and between said members for gripping the head of the casing of a cartridge resting on said supports, .and power multiplying means carried by said members and engaging said gripping means for moving the same longitudinally along said members.

3. In a, machine for separating the projectile of a cartridge from its casing, a pair of elongated beam members, means rigidly connecting said members in horizontally-spaced parallel relation, vertically-adjustable cartridge-supporting means mounted on and between said members for longitudinal adjustment therealong, clamping means longitudinally adjustable on and along said members to grip the projectile of a cartridge carried on said supporting means, means to releasably secure said clamp means in longitudinally-adjusted position, gripping means longitudinally adjustable on and along said members and adapted to grip the flanged head' of the shell of a cartridge carried on said supporting means, said gripping means comprising a, head having an undercut semi-circular channel therein, an adapter adapted to removably fit said channel, said adapter having a semi-circular groove to receive the flange 0f the head of a cartridge casing of predetermined diameter when supported by said supporting means and power-multiplying means carried by said members and operable to engage and positively move said gripping means on and along said members toward or away from said clamping means.

ARTHUR R. IiINZLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 581,079 McHugh Apr. 20, 1897 1,088,490 Voller Feb. 24, 1914 1,150,397 Shoemaker Aug. 17, 1915 1,318,057 Dean Oct. 7, 1919 1,359,013 Zuck et a1 Nov. 16, 1920 2,007,975 Kennedy July 16, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 571,197 Great Britain Aug. 19, 1945 

